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Telling the Difference between a Baritone Horn and Euphonium

Telling the difference between euphoniums and baritones is difficult - the features taken for granted: euphoniums have 4 valves, baritones have 3; baritones are smaller than euphoniums; the bells point in different directions - a baritone bell points forward, the euphonium bell points up; they sound different; the baritone plays in the treble clef - are not untrue exactly - but neither are they exactly true. There are many variations of both instruments which further adds to the confusion. Variations exist in the number of valves, position of the valves, design of the bell and so on. Front-facing bells were designed to project more sound forward to the listener or for marching bands. Various reference books may be sourced for alternative (more accurate?) definitions....

The Baritone Horn

The baritone horn is described variously as having: narrow bore; smaller bore and tone, semi-conical cup mouthpiece, 3 valves; smaller bore, tapered like a cornet; and narrower bore (than a euphonium). Or, the tubing is about half cylindrical and stays about the same size ending in a quick flare at the bell and more cylindrical tubing produces sound which is bright, sharp, and distinct.

The Euphonium

The euphonium is described as having: wide bore, warm large tone, deep-cup mouthpiece, tenor of the tuba family; larger bore and tone, semi-conical bore, deep-cup mouthpiece, 3-5 valves; larger bore, tapered like a flugel horn; wider bore, called baritone in the USA. Or, the tubing is mostly conical and gradually increases to the flare of the wider bell, and Conical tubing produces sound which is deep, round, and mellow (similar to the tuba).

These descriptions may be slightly more accurate, but are they particularly helpful? It is very hard to tell just by looking at an instrument whether its bore is cylindrical or conical, the euphonium does appear to be the more "chunky" of the two - but then even this can be misleading. Conn instruments confuse the matter even further, by having the same dimensions of tubing, bell size and taper - the only tangible difference being that of price: the euphonium is more expensive. One of the chief differences is indeed the sound - conical and cylindrical tubing produce substantially different types of sound: cylindrical tubing produces bright, sharp sound; conical tubing produces round, mellow sound. For instance, a trumpet and trombone are about 2/3 cylindrical and thus, have a very bright sound. A tuba is about 2/3 conical and sounds just the opposite--round and mellow. The baritone horn's tubing is about half-and-half so it doesn't sound like a trombone nor does it sound like a tuba -- rather, somewhere inbetween. So, based on the various tubing shapes, the trombone will have the brightest, most brilliant or brassy sound; the baritone horn will sound a bit softer and mellower; and the euphonium will have the softest, most round and mellow sound of them all. There are so many variations on the baritone and euphonium: valves (anything from 3-5), bell direction, size, shape, valve type and colour!! It is impossible to give an exact description of each. But hopefully this will give some idea.

My thanks to: David Werdon: Euphonium, Baritone, or ??? and Bob Beecher: Is it a Baritone or Euphonium?